• Exit/In is now under contract to a hotel developer despite an effort by the current tenant to buy the property, with the seller indicating they were upset by the “Save the Rock Block” campaign. The developer is responsible for the Graduate Hotel, which features a karaoke bar called “Cross-Eyed Critters.”
• Nashville may soon lift its mask mandate for outdoor dining, but leaders stress that it is important to wear a mask indoors when in public.
• County music stars such as Eric Church are teaming up to promote COVID vaccinations, which have been lagging behind in rural areas. Get vaccinated, y’all.
• Popular downtown retail and art space The Arcade has been sold to Rob Lowe, but no not that one. The real estate developer plans to preserve the historic alley.
• The owners of Nashville’s last landfill rejected flood debris less than a week after the Solid Waste Board denied their expansion request. The city is expected to run out of local options for all solid waste within the next few years.
• Saturday’s siren test went much better after several had failed to activate during recent severe weather. Metro OEM is continuing to work with the vendor.
• Advocates for the city’s homeless population are criticizing a new state bill that would fine offenders $500 and require community service hours for camping on pubic property.
• Sad to share that Congo, a giraffe at the Nashville Zoo since they opened the exhibit, has died. Congo was 16.
• In an only-in-Nashville story, a man allegedly beat the host of a New Year’s gathering with a guitar, leading to his arrest this week. No word on the condition of the guitar.
• The Nashville Predators (20-18-1) lost a 4-1 game to the Dallas Stars (13-13-10) Thursday before winning a 3-0 contest against the Chicago Blackhawks (17-17-5) Saturday afternoon. They begin a two-game road swing against the Detroit Red Wings (13-22-5) with the trade deadline a week away.
• Following the accusations made in a lawsuit, Inc. Magazine has opted to strip Brentwood-based Ramsey Solutions of its 2020 ‘Best Workplace’ designation. The company denies any wrongdoing.
• Tennessee’s legislature is again trying to make the Christian Bible the “State Book,” but a move by the Lt. Governor may effectively end the effort for this year.
• Regal Cinemas at Opryland reopened Sunday, the first of their theaters in the city to do so.
• We’re not in the habit of sharing NSFW links, but the scene on Lower Broadway Friday night was … something.
• Local officials honored Rosetta Puckett this weekend upon her retirement as a school crossing guard after 45 years.

Photo by David Ellis. Want to see your photo featured here?